How to Recover Deleted PDF File on Mac and Windows PC

" Does anybody help me? I deleted my PDF report while I was trying to split it. I need recover deleted PDF files. It cost me one month to finish. Please help me! " - Roy

While you delete PDF files on your Mac or Windows PC, there is no "Ctrl+Z" command to cancel the deletion. If you haven’t tried the permanent deletion, there is still a chance for you to recover PDF file. In the following, I’m going to introduce you the most widely used ways for how to recover deleted PDF file. Let’s check them out.

Method #1. How to Recover Deleted PDF Files from Recycle Bin

As I have told you in the first place, if you haven’t tried the permanent deletion command, your deleted PDF files may be put in the trash bin. In this case, whether you want to recover deleted PDF files on Mac or Windows PC, you can try your luck to look for them.

Recover Deleted PDF File from Windows PC

click to open the recycle bin on your Windows PC. Right-click or double-click on the PDF file, select "Restore" to recover deleted files in Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows XP and more. After then, you can see it is saved to the original place where it once was.

PDF Recovery from Mac Trash Can

Click to open the trash can at the bottom right. From there, you can see the deleted files in the trash can. When finding the deleted PDF file, select and drag it out of the trash can. That’s it! You can still make use of the Spotlight on the top right. Type in the name of the deleted PDF file. When the result show it is in the trash can, command-click and restore deleted files on Mac.

Method #2. Recover Deleted PDF File with PDF Recovery Tool

Many people are likely to empty recycle bin after they delete files. And I’m one of them. It makes PDF recovery more troublesome. The good side is that I have a powerful PDF recovery tool - iBeesoft Data Recovery for help. It allows me to scan the whole computer or external devices for the recover deleted PDF file on Window or Mac easily. And what I need to do is letting it scan and show me the deleted PDF files. To be honest, I was surprised it can do the job, but it did. Here are some other features of iBeesoft Data Recovery:

Ok, let’s put it short. We can make use of it for PDF recovery, either on Windows PC or Mac. In the following, I’ll cover the details of how to use iBeesoft Data Recovery Software to recover deleted PDF files.

Step by step to perform PDF recovery

Step 1. Download and install iBeesoft Data Recovery

You can download the Windows or Mac version. It fully depends on what kind of computer you’re using. Both of them works greatly. You need to choose the right version according to your computer. Download and install it on your computer.

Step 2. Select file types to scan

Run the PDF recovery tool. In the main window, uncheck the other selected files, only keep "Documents" selected. It means you’ve given the order to the software, letting it only scan for deleted PDF files. Click "Start" to recover PDF file.

Step 3. Select drive to scan

Next, you need to select the hard drive on your computer from where once the deleted PDF file was. It only exists in this place, please remember that. Select the drive and click "Scan", letting the software begin the task.

Step 4. Preview and recover deleted PDF files

During the scanning process, the software displays the found files into categories. Listing them on the left side. Next, you can select found PDF files, preview them, select them and click "Recover" to save them on your computer. That’s it! So easy.

If you haven’t found the deleted PDF files with the Quick Scan. Please try the "Deep Scan" in the result window. For sure, it will take longer, but the result is better.